Kuchinoshima

Stratovolcano(es) in Japan

Last Eruption: 1190

Key Facts

Elevation

628 m (2,060 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano(es)

Location

29.968°, 129.926°

Region

Ryukyu Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Kuchinoshima, lying in the northern Ryukyu Islands between the volcanic islands of Nakanoshima and Kuchinoerabujima, consists of two andesitic stratovolcanoes and a NW-SE-trending chain of lava domes. Two small villages, Nishinohama and Kuchinoshima, lie at the northern end of the mostly uninhabited island. The compound 628-m-high Maedake lava dome, forming the highest point on the 3 x 7 km wide island, was constructed east of the summit of 501-m-high Yokodake stratovolcano.

The last magmatic eruption took place about 1200-1300 years ago.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

Risk Level

Population at RiskHigh

Infrastructure RiskModerate

Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Silica Content

Intermediate (57-63% SiO₂)

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

Age & Formation

Epoch

Holocene

Evidence

Eruption Dated

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

Metric	Value	Global Ranking	Significance
Total Recorded Eruptions	Unknown	Low	Moderately active volcano
Maximum VEI	VEI Unknown	Minor	Local impact potential
Recent Activity	836 years ago	Historical	Historically active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

Real-time seismic monitoring

Geological Survey of Japan

Geochemical monitoring

Global Volcanism Program

International eruption database

Current Status

Normal

No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Nearby Volcanoes in Western Pacific Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity

The Western Pacific Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

Quick Info

•Smithsonian ID: 282043
•Evidence: Eruption Dated
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

The center peak is the Maedake lava dome that rises above the E coast of Kuchinoshima and forms the high point of the island. The flat-topped Yokodake peak is to the upper right. Kuchinoshima lies in the northern Ryukyu Islands between the volcanic islands of Nakanoshima and Kuchinoerabujima.

Copyrighted photo by Shun Nakano, 2005 (Japanese Quaternary Volcanoes database, RIODB, http://riodb02.ibase.aist.go.jp/strata/VOL_JP/EN/index.htm and Geol Surv Japan, AIST, http://www.gsj.jp/).